Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the sentencing of Richard J. Spielman, 46, of Kinnelon.
According to authorities, on July 9th, Spielman entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C., to first degree Maintenance of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility and Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun. As part of the plea agreement, Spielman forfeited nearly $6800 in United States currency.
Officials say on Sept. 19th, the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., sentenced Spielman, on the drug charges to six years in New Jersey State Prison.
Authorities say Spielman is required to serve thirty-six months before becoming eligible for parole. Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent three year state prison term with twelve months of parole ineligibility on the weapons count.
The investigation, led by detectives from the Butler Police Department and Kinnelon Police Department, culminated on March 11, 2018 with the seizure of one fully automatic machine gun, one assault rifle, 79 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, approximately ten pounds of marijuana, mushrooms, two shotguns, four rifles, one loaded handgun, high capacity magazines, silencers, throwing stars, metal knuckles, drug distribution related paraphernalia, nearly $6,800 United States currency, and a 2006 Jeep.
Prosecutor Knapp stated “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to seek incarceration of convicted for-profit drug dealers and those who possess weapons in contravention of state and federal law. We hope that the sentences the Court imposed today serve to deter not just this defendant but others who engage in similar criminal activity.”